How do you deal with the stupid greys?

Divya Ramachandran
4 min readSep 10, 2024

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So today I had a very productive day! I got a lot of my musical collaborations and venues sorted. This happened so beautifully in about 3 hours that I had the rest of the day to just chill and visit my favorite cafe, have good food, and do some writing. During that time, I was introspecting about my life now as an artist and I realized that all days weren’t always balanced. Every day was different and I had to embrace it.

Some days I would get a lot done, some days I would amble a bit, needing some inspiration. Although I am someone who gets the job done, I also realize that downtime and allowing ideas to cook is a very important part of the creative process. Giving your mind the time to amble and wander is something you have to allow, to execute the larger ideas! Sometimes I do feel like getting back to a full-time job but that would just constrain my space to dream big and execute bigger!

So coming back to the point, I decided to write about how to deal with these ups and downs and understand that the greys are periods of discovery where the mind is allowed to relax and wander enough to connect the dots efficiently!

The black, white, and grey, though vastly different, are all integral parts of our personal growth and development. Understanding how to navigate these times gracefully can make all the difference in how we experience and manage them.

Our lives are not linear; they oscillate between peaks of joy and valleys of struggle. The highs often bring a sense of euphoria and accomplishment. These moments are when we feel most alive, energized, and fulfilled. However, they can be fleeting, and the contrast with the inevitable grey periods becomes evident.

Conversely, the grey periods — those times of uncertainty, sadness, or monotony — can seem endless and overwhelming. It’s easy to feel stuck or discouraged when we’re amid these less vibrant phases. Yet, these times are just as important as the highs, providing us opportunities for introspection and growth.

When life is at its peak, it’s important to savor and appreciate these moments. Fully immerse yourself in the joy and accomplishment, but also stay grounded. Highs can be a powerful reminder of what’s possible and a source of motivation for future endeavors. Use this energy to set new goals, build connections, and enjoy the success you’ve achieved. Handling the grey periods with grace requires a different approach. Acknowledge and accept these times as part of the human experience. Rather than fighting against the monotony or sadness, try to find small ways to nurture yourself and stay resilient.

Be kind to yourself. Understand that it’s okay to feel down and that these feelings are temporary. Practice self-care and seek support from friends, family, or professionals if needed.

Use the grey periods as an opportunity to reflect on your goals, values, and aspirations. Sometimes, these quieter times offer valuable insights that can lead to personal growth and renewed purpose.

Even in challenging times, finding small things to be grateful for can shift your perspective. Gratitude can be a powerful tool for maintaining a positive outlook and finding solace.

Embracing both the highs and lows with grace involves accepting that life’s fluctuations are natural and valuable. By learning to navigate these periods with understanding and compassion, you build resilience and wisdom.

Remember, grace is not about avoiding the difficult moments but about how you respond to them. It’s about finding strength in vulnerability and learning from every experience, whether it’s a soaring peak or a quiet grey.

During my grey periods, I try setting small, achievable goals that can help provide a sense of direction and purpose. These goals don’t have to be grand; they can be simple tasks like organizing a space, reading a chapter of a book, or taking a walk. Completing these small tasks can build a sense of accomplishment and gradually lift your mood.

I have also realized that you can do one big thing that makes the day worth it. Like today, well, I did do more than just one thing, but what made my day exciting was the cafe visit and how I worked from there. What I am saying is that the whole day doesn't have to be power-packed! Even one nice thing you do for yourself can be the highlight of the day -it's that one thing you do entirely for yourself! That’s a good happiness ratio to keep rather than expecting the whole day to be as exciting as the life of James Bond. I’m pretty sure he gets bored too and has his womanly muses or cigars to take care of him then!

So don’t feel bad if you have a slow or low day! Remember there are secret messages hidden in the grey! Keep smiling, and respond to these times better and you'll be back on track, in fact, you already are just reading this! Give yourself more credit, love! Go and have some tea now! Ta-ta! Kisses! :*

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Divya Ramachandran
Divya Ramachandran

Written by Divya Ramachandran

A lover of experiences, a gifted soul.

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